On the Orient Express

 

On the Orient Express: A Belated Anniversary

Fall 2023

 

            Train-lover Marjorie has long expressed her desire for a trip on the Orient Express (there’s also Buddy Bombard’s Balloon Adventures, but that’s another story). She’s nonetheless surprised when I give her a “voucher” on her BD in 2021, aiming to celebrate our 50^th Anniversary (11/20/21) in Fall 2022 when (hopefully) COVID would be under control. The pandemic eases by March. On-line searching leads to multiple sources & routes, London, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul, etc. I

decide to look into London to Verona (a city we’ve not visited) with Railbookers, which is cited very positively. A very pleasant discussion with Eileen to look for a Fall trip. After some searching, she indicates almost everything booked but found one: “Grand Suite” for $19,000 per person! Woof! I do love dear Marjorie, but that seems way over the top (it’s only one night on the train, after all!). So Eileen searches for Fall 2023 and finds a much more sensible booking. We just have to be patient, lots of anticipation time.

The Orient-Express was created in 1883, 1^st trip left Paris for Constantinople with 40 passengers for 13 days roundtrip, unveiling midnight blue metallic cars with golden trim that led to its “Train Bleu” nickname. Trains became known for luxurious decorations & services: wood marquetry, glass panels, fabrics, refined leather, plus an “incredible gastronomic experience.” 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie was published in 1934; various movie & TV adaptations followed. The original route ran from Paris across Europe thru Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, & Bucharest before arriving in Istanbul. Other routes headed south thru Lausanne, Simplon, Milan, Venice, Belgrade, & Sofia before Istanbul, or as far as Athens. The last direct trip between Paris & Istanbul was 1977.

            A mission to bring the train back began with 2 original carriages bought at auction, others tracked down for skilled craftsmen to restore; all classified as Historical Monuments. Relaunched 1982, increasing destinations & routes since then. The current Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is part of Belmond, which operates other “luxury trains,” including British Pullman, Royal Scotsman, & Andean Explorer. One account says: “Of all the luxury journeys in all the world, none evokes a picture of pure elegance, timeless sophistication and unparalleled romance quite like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Truly harking back to the 'Golden Age of Rail Travel', everything from the vintage cabins, exquisite gastronomy and convivial entertainment to the deluxe sleeping cars and inimitable service ensure that you are in for the journey of a lifetime. This is one train ride that is truly unforgettable.” But will there be a murder on board?

Michigan & Interlochen

 

Miles Takes Interlochen

 

 

           We’ve enjoyed watching grandson Miles dancin’ & singin’ since he started tap dancing at, what, 5 years old? That has broadened into a variety of musicals (e.g., Annie, Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man) at the 92^nd Street Y in NYC, a major cultural center where his mother Anthea was on staff for a while. He had some summer fun for a few years near us at Siena College Dance Camp (while brother William was at their Soccer Camp), as I was recently reminded by a Facebook “memory” video of him tap dancing 7 years ago. Miles’ path to Broadway has continued at Talent Unlimited, a high school in Manhattan specializing in the performing arts, where he’s headed into his junior year. Now another rung on the ladder this summer: Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan.

Since 1928 Interlochen has “offered an immersive arts experience . . . nestled between two pristine lakes and surrounded by quiet pines.” 3000+ students grades 3-12 participate in summer camp programming and education in 7 disciplines: creative writing, dance, film & new media, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. [Parenthetically, there’s also Interlochen Arts Academy, where “young artists find the high school they may only have imagined possible.” After Miles was accepted for the summer we reminded him that Anthea had gone there for the summer following her junior year in high school and wound up staying to finish high school. Miles response: “Yeah, but do you know how much it costs!” They have been trying to recruit him – tenors are in high demand. Should we start a GoFundMe for Miles?]

Bonnie Scotland

 

Bonnie Scotland

June 2023

 

            Scotland has been mostly missing in our European travels. I had some stops in Scotland at the beginning of a Viking Ocean Cruise with brother Doug, wife Ann, & daughter Katie before continuing to Norway & the Arctic Circle. But Marjorie is eager to go there, and I’d like to see more. Interest prodded by recent TV highlighting Scotland: Outlander, a time-travel romantic adventure I got hooked on during the COVID pandemic; The Crown, which includes views of Balmoral Castle, Scottish home of the Royal Family; a “Wildheart” episode of Nature focusing on 500-year-old pines in the Highlands; The Traitors, a reality show promising “backstabbing and treachery” hosted by Alan Cumming in a Scottish castle; we stream the 3 seasons of very enjoyable Ted Lasso. So it seems the planets are aligned for a trip to Scotland.

Gate1, with whom we’ve had a number of happy trips, has a few options. Though it

does not include the Orkney Islands I enjoyed, Marjorie opts for the somewhat shorter “10 Day Classic Scotland,” which looks quite comprehensive enough. This continues a very busy travel year: Cruisin’ down the Mississippi in January, Florida in March,  Orient Express London to Verona coming in September.

A couple weeks before departure there’s an “Uh-Oh” moment threatening the trip: Marjorie tweaks her knee during early garden work. Ortho doc confirms a torn meniscus, but should heal in 6-8 weeks. A brace stabilizes the knee and things improve. Also helped by a cane that belonged to late friend Jerry, a reminder of enjoyable travels with Jerry & Diane. 

Marjorie asserts the garden is in good shape, planting complete. A stretch of summer weather, up to the 90s. We’ll plan for more spring-like weather in Scotland. Thankfully, packing this time doesn’t entail jumping thru COVID hoops. But one complication: a CBD tincture helpful for Marjorie’s joint pain and my restless leg (she says I “sleep like a baby,” not kicking her) has THC, not legal in the UK. We’ll take a similar product without THCWed., June 7: “Canadian Smoke”

Florida 2023

 

Florida

March 2023

       Never thought of us as “snowbirds.” No interest in living in Florida, seasonally or otherwise. But we seem to be developing something of a regular winter visit. It began with a drive down to join friend Kay in Sarasota in January 2014. We took the Queens family to Disney World for Thanksgiving that same year. A break in the action until last winter: a 2-part stay, 1^st with friends Deb & Chris in Sarasota and then joining with Mary & Jeff to stay with Susan & Jim in Naples. Very enjoyable, why not do a repeat? We do like the Sarasota area, plenty to see & do without being too hectic. And the Naples condo is nicely situated on a big pond, easy access to local sights & activities. This time we’ll head down in March when travel should be less affected by weather and more may be blooming in Florida.

      After a pretty quiet winter here we’ve had some recent snowfalls, still a couple of inches on the ground. Nothing like California: 10’ of snow, some people trapped at home for 2 weeks. Weather forecasts look good for Florida. Last September Hurricane Ian, the 3^rd-costliest weather disaster on record and deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935, caused damage around Naples & especially nearby Fort Myers, even washing away a bridge to Sanibel Island, but Jim & Susan’s condo wasn’t damaged.

      In the midst of prepping for the trip a UPS package arrives from Mary & Jeff. Something new in giftgiving, many merged into one: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Spring! For me an adorable mini–Red Cross van that reflects my blood delivery driving.

Catskills Valentine

 

Catskills Valentine

 February 2023

 

          What to do for Valentine’s Day? A perennial quandary. One unusual option: India's Hindu nationalist government has proclaimed February 14 "Cow Hug Day," countering a holiday they say “encourages female promiscuity and vulgar behavior." I prefer the tried-and-true option of a romantic getaway. But where? My Red Cross blood delivery driving offers an answer. The “Southwest” route takes me to Cobleskill, where I recently came across a group of locals (deer, that is) strolling thru a neighborhood below the hospital, then to Catskill villages Walton & Margaretville. Very scenic: farms, lakes & streams, covered bridges, mountain vistas, villages with pretty houses, churches, & shops. Going thru Downsville I spot the Old Schoolhouse Inn. Looks promising, but an internet check back home finds some negative reviews. Further on, Margaretville Mountain Inn seems a better choice, plus more eateries & interesting shops in the village. First efforts find only 3-night stays but changing dates and help from booking.com scores an overnight into Valentine’s Day itself. What could be better?

         I keep details a secret, only telling Marjorie to keep the 2 days clear and pack for overnight. Well, mostly a secret. We have lunch several days before with Becky, Exec Director of the Empire State Youth Orchestra (where young Matt began performing), at Jade Bistro in Scotia. 

Afterward, Becky gives me a tour of the new space for ESYO – a former school being remodeled & expanded to house the various ESYO ensembles with rehearsal & office space. Quite a project, aiming for Fall ’24 completion. I share my Valentine plans with Becky; she approves.

 

First let’s look at the lead-up to what Marjorie might call our “Valentine Festival” (like her “Birthday Festivals”). Tho I’m on the Board & Past President of Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc., Marjorie seems more connected to CSSC. She joins neighbors Mary Ann & Paul to see PBS documentary “Searching for Timbuctoo” about a pre-Civil War Black settlement organized by abolitionists in the Adirondacks, hosted at CSSC by the filmmaker; ironically, a CSSC Board meeting prevents my joining them. 

Down the Mississippi

 

Down the Mississippi

December 2022-January 2023

            Sometimes trips evolve in quite unexpected ways. After a lovely trip to Maine in August I sent my usual writeup to family & friends. That led Santa Fe friend Diane to call Marjorie for a long chat that included news she and hubbie Jerry (with friends Bob & Donna) are going on a Viking Mississippi River cruise starting New Year’s Eve. We’ve done a bunch of Viking river cruises in Europe, but the Mississippi is a new itinerary for them. Enticing, but a look at the website showed the cruise sold out except one stateroom category, some price reductions would end the next day, and final payment due in 3 days! Spurred into action: a call to Viking to book with agent Donnie, then reviewing & reserving included & optional excursions, purchasing trip insurance. By moving so quickly we save about $2,000: trip discounts, getting our own insurance, using “E-check” to pay. So Marjorie’s not the only smart shopper! It seems odd to do a Viking trip domestically, but it’s nice to avoid passports, customs. money exchange, and language differences; well, some differences y’all.

          A potential hitch: drought in the Midwest, High Plains and South leads to very low water levels

in the Mississippi in October, including lowest ever in Memphis, where we start. A Baton Rouge resident hunting for artifacts finds submerged wreck of a 19^th C ship. New islands emerge and walkways to others. Our more selfish concern: we don’t want a river cruise to become a bus tour! There are signs that late-November storms in the Midwest & South causing flight delays & cancellations have also eased the Mississippi R drought. Agent Donnie assures us early in December that there is water to cruise. COVID has also been spiking. Viking requires vaccination, but so far not the daily testing on our Portugal cruise in April.

Of course, winter travel has other risks. A major “bomb cyclone” storm comes across the country into Christmas weekend. Buffalo hit with over 4’ of snow. Even the Deep South has subfreezing temps with burst pipes & power outages. Thankfully, we have quiet clear weather to drive to & from Queens for Christmas with the family. And forecasts look favorable for our travel schedule.